中国

This paper analyzes China's rice demand and supply by regions and periods, with a comparative view on long-grained （lndica） and round-grained （Japonica） nonglutinous rice. Since 1978, China's rice production has greatly increased. Especially, the round grained nonglutinous rice, which is mainly produced in North China, has tripled during the 1979-98 period. The rapid increase in rice production has brought about drastic changes in this country's rice demand and supply. The average price of different kinds of rice has decreased by about 300／o from 1996 to 1999. China' s grain situation has experienced a transition from supply shortage to structural adjustment characterized by grain surplus. The sharply decrease in the price of rice has exerted serious effects on rice farmers' incomes. Moreover, the profitability of rice or grain crops per hectare or per labor day is obviously lower than vegetables, fruits and industrial crops. The comparative disadvantage in rice or grain production may bring about negative results on China's grain supply in the coming years. Policy efforts aimed to stabilize rice market and improve the incomes of farmers who is specialized in rice or grain production are necessary.